Today on Animal Fact Files we’re discussing saltwater crocodiles.
These reptiles are also known as salties, and, as the name implies, they can tolerate saltwater.
In fact, they're able to swim in the open ocean. Saltwater crocodiles can travel over
600 miles (965km) by sea and have made their way to isolated oceanic islands.
They've even been found with barnacles attached to them! Though they are named
for their saltwater swimming behavior, they use freshwater for the breeding season.
Between the months of November and March, male saltwater crocodiles fight over territory
and mating dominance. It takes almost twenty years before they reach the right size to win
one of these matches. Even the females may nip at each other during this time.
The dominant male mates with nearby females and this happens entirely underwater. The
female lays her eggs in a nest constructed by herself. They must be positioned high
because floods could kill them. It's believed only 25% of saltwater crocodile eggs will survive
to hatch. It takes two to three months for the babies to emerge depending on the temperature.
Like other crocodiles, the temperature determines the sex of the babies. Outside of around 89
degrees Fahrenheit (31.6°C) they're mostly female. When they hatch, they make calls to their mother
who has been protecting the nest during their entire incubation. The calls sound like this.
The mother gently carries the babies in her mouth to the water and remains
with them until they're a little larger and can defend themselves.
Saltwater crocodiles range throughout the Indo-Pacific region from India to the
northern coasts of Australia. They were once more widespread but habitat loss and poaching for their
skin have reduced their numbers. Overall, the population is considered unthreatened,
but they are listed as endangered in certain parts of their range.
Baby salties and their eggs may be taken by monitor lizards,
feral pigs, large fish, and turtles, but their mother’s protection helps reduce this.
Adult saltwater crocodiles have no natural predators besides other, larger crocodiles.
Thankfully for them, they're the largest living reptiles in the world! Male saltwater crocodiles
have been known to reach over twenty feet (6m) in length, but on average these reptiles reach
between 10 and 16 feet (3-5m) at full size. Females are much smaller than males. In weight,
they can top the charts at over 2,200 pounds (1000kg) - that's more than an African buffalo!
Young saltwater crocodiles eat insects, crustaceans, small fish,
reptiles and amphibians while adults can eat prey as large as a buffalo. They also take boar,
birds, snakes, turtles, monkeys, and more. Smaller Animals are usually chomped in a single bite
but larger animals are dragged into the water. If they can't finish a meal,
a saltwater crocodile will tuck it away to eat later, much like a golden jackal. Adult saltwater
crocodiles actively hunt their prey, usually at night. Juveniles are more sit and wait types.
Saltwater crocodiles prefer to stay below 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35°C). They'll bask
in the sun to warm their bodies but jump in the water to cool off. Some may come ashore at night
if they've been swimming out in the ocean. They live in fresh and brackishwater rivers,
swamps, lagoons, and more. They have a large head with ridges that run past the
eyes towards the nostrils. Typically a saltwater crocodile has between 64 and 68 teeth. On average,
if they can survive to adulthood, saltwater crocodiles live to be 70 years old.
For more facts on saltwater crocodiles, check out the links below.
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